Airlines are adding more flights in Asia. Here’s how that may affect airfares

Many flights that were canceled during the Pandemic are back in the air.

Dozens of flights are going to be added to cities across Asia. Both airlines announced more flights between Singapore and Japan and South Korea.

In October, there will be twice weekly flights to Yogyakarta and Pekanbaru.

There are a few new routes added by Scoot. It will begin flying from Singapore to Makassar in Indonesia this month. Travelers who want to go skiing in Japan this winter will be able to take a seasonal nonstop flight to Sapporo.

More flights to China are on the way. In September, Singapore Airlines launched services to Beijing, and this month it will begin flights to Chengdu and Shenzhen. There are flights to four Chinese cities so far, with two starting this week.

Budget carriers are increasing services in the region. The first international route from the Philippines to Singapore is going to restart this month. Several flights between Malaysia and Indonesia are being resumed.

HK Express plans to add more than 400 flights between Hong Kong and Singapore, Thailand, and Japan by the end of the year, after Hong Kong relaxed border restrictions.

James Marshall said that limited flight choices for travelers in Asia was one of the reasons why pricing was high.

It's a good thing that airlines are increasing their capacity. It is very difficult to say if flight prices are at their peak at the moment.

Staffing shortages continue to be a problem for the industry. The Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, a professional association representing Cathay Pacific pilots, warned last week that because of lack of staff air fares will continue to rise due to low supply combined with a high demand, which will affect Hong Kong for a long time.

The travel chaos in Europe and North America last summer was caused by staffing problems.

Ensuring that they get staffed at the right level is how airlines in Asia-Pacific manage the increase.

Cheap airfares may not be realized for some time if airlines continue to be cautious about adding new flights.

The demand is still very strong, even after the opening and decrease of capacity.